Ornamental Planting 125 



planting, and render them rare and expensive. Other 

 interesting cut-leaved trees are the willow-leaved Ash, 

 laurel-leaved Willow, scarlet Oak, Maidenhair tree, and that 

 most beautiful of all, the fern-leaved form of the golden 

 Elder. 



Though somewhat stiff of outline the cut-leaved Horse 

 Chestnut (Aesculus), in the form known as laciniatum, is 

 not to be despised, and affords a striking contrast to the 

 species. 



The fern-leaved Beech (Facjus sylvatica asplenifolia) 

 is probably the most commonly distributed of cut-leaved 

 trees, and rightly so, for it is certainly one of the most beauti- 

 ful and distinct of the type. F. sylvatica quercifolia, the 

 Oak-leaved, is also worthy of attention, but cannot compare 

 with the former in point of beauty. Even of the common 

 Walnut (Juglans Eegia) there is a cut-leaved variety, which 

 is distinct and worthy of culture as an ornamental tree. 

 It is named laciniata and is fairly common. 



Of the numerous varieties of the Sweet or Spanish Chest- 

 nut, the most desirable is that which bears the rather 

 cumbrous name of Castanea vesca heterophylla dissecta. It 

 is one of the most beautiful of hardy trees, in which the 

 long, narrow leaves of the upper parts of the branches 

 droop in a graceful manner and render it so much sought 

 after in ornamental gardening. 



Fastigiate Trees. The Lombardy Poplar (Populus 

 fastigiata) is at once one of the most conspicuous and pic- 

 turesque of tapering trees. Though it can hardly be de- 

 scribed as a beautiful tree, yet for landscape effect the tall, 

 spiry, column-like appearance renders the Lombardy Poplar 

 of particular value for certain well-chosen positions in our 

 parks and grounds. In the neighbourhood of a town or 

 country village it produces an effect almost akin to archi- 

 tectural embellishment, while in flat or low-lying districts, 

 and particularly near water, it is most at home and probably 

 looks best. It also associates kindly with old ruins and has 

 a pleasing effect when rising out of pointed-headed Cypresses 

 or Yews, but in all cases it is a tree that should be used 

 sparingly and, with extreme caution. Forming avenues or 



